I like to garden, quilt, read most any book, and follow my seven grandchildren in their various activities: Amy, Brent, Amanda, Brice, Jason, Jamie and Alex. We have a Great Grandson, Shaden. He is an active little boy. My husband Roger and I raise beef cattle, grains and hay on our farm.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Black Hills Rodeo and Stock Show

We spent 4 days last week at Stock Show and went to 5 PRCA rodeos. The rodeos, produced by Sutton Rodeos, were great, good entertainment. One of the rodeo's in between acts was Tomas, a charro, who showed his skill with a rope on a beautiful palamino, with a mane that came nearly to the ground. After demonstrating his skill with the rope, standing on the horse, jumping up to let the rope under him, he continues twirling, letting the extra rope out into his hand, until the loop gets very large and is big enough to encompass him and the horse. Then he gallops the horse around the arena, all the while swinging the rope, exactly right, so the horse stays inside the loop, and does not step on it while he is running. They played beautiful Mexican music all during this impressive act.We also visited the very many booths, with all things related to agriculture, ranching and rodeo life. Equipment, clothes, jewelry, machinery and anything else you can think of. The Stock Show part was housed under the same roof, with different breeds of cattle shown each day, and Supreme Row, for the top bull and heifer was awarded on Saturday night before the final rodeo began.South Dakota is proud to the home of 2011 Miss Rodeo America, McKenzie Haley, a beautiful representative of SD and Rodeo. Her sister, Mallory Haley sang the Star Spangled Banner before one of the impressive openings of a Sutton Rodeo. The rockets and stars are boomed into the sky, the horse carrying Miss SD and the American flag stands at attention in the middle of the arena as this noise and flashes go on above his head. The opening ends with Miss SD riding the horse in one lap around the arena, and it sets off a spangle of fireworks at fixed places along the arena fence. I have watched this many times, and it is always breath taking and impressive, what a tribute to our flag and our country.Hats off to Sutton Rodeo!